Gateway to the continent from the Atlantic, Québec City and the Saint Lawrence Valley offer more than four centuries of encounters and exchanges between the French and British founding colonial legacies, the First Nations, generations of European immigrants and American and European references. Generally, the architecture and the urban and rural landscape reflect the commercial, political and social influences from the North Atlantic world. The 19th century Québec City borrowed from Glasgow and Boston, after replicating Saint-Malo in the 17th century or Levittown after 1950.

These copies are however deceiving. The production of the built environment exposes a pattern of “métissage”; meaning the encounters, the exchanges, the conflicts, the discoveries, the mix and growth of architectural solutions made of various references. The architectural “métissage” overlays old patterns and new ideas; culturally coded conventions, innovations blooming from an original adaptation.

The “métissage” occurs in the initial expectations of the architectural project; the layout, the programme and the tectonic. Cultural references set goals, natural constrains, material and skill availability shape the design options. The architectural “métissage” exposes social ambitions and technical opportunities. The process displays several options in relationship to the different design scales and life cycles. The colonial concessions design the landscape, the building types made the urban context, the construction and interior tectonic outline the technical and functional performance of comfort and taste.

The preservation and recycling of existing structures open a new cycle of “métissage”. Preservation is an encounter between material and immaterial legacies and contemporary aspirations. Every project is in itself an experience of historical “métissage” between then and now. As suggested by Alain de Botton, Architecture is a promise of happiness; preservation of the built environment is an opportunity to maintain, renew and redefine this promise.

Our theme this year, Métissage, reflects both the spirit behind the historic city of Québec, and the spirit we will foster at this year’s Conference. The APT Québec City 2014 Conference will provide an opportunity to reflect on and explore the concept of métissage as it relates to the built environment and what we each bring to share and learn. In addition, attendees can earn a year's worth of CEUs. The Conference and its related events will provide the opportunity to present lessons learned from one of the most historic yet ever changing cities.